PARAMARIBO, Suriname, July 28, 2023.- Trinidad will have another shot at winning their 8th straight Caribbean Championship title on Sunday, as the Soca girls will face undefeated Jamaican team in the 18th edition of the tournament in Paramaribo.

Trinidad and Tobago fought back after Suriname took a 1-0 set lead in the semifinals at the Anthony Nesty Sport Hall on Friday. It was a thrilling five-setter 3-2 (21-25, 25-15, 16-25, 25-17, 15-7) win to return to the gold medal match. The last time Trinidad and Tobago played the final was in 2018 when they won in straight-sets 3-0 against Suriname. This will be the tenth appearance for Trinidad and Tobago in the final of the regional tournament.

Opposite Esdelle led Trinidad and Tobago with a game high 36 points including 10 spikes, 3 block and 3 digs. Her performance was incredible sinking Suriname through the left and right side of the attack. She is joined by middle blocker Ross-Kydd with 13 points. For Suriname outside hitter Ketura Margaret had 13 points and opposite Tammenga contributed with 11 points.

Saleem Ali, coach of Trinidad and Tobago: “We have reached our goal in this tournament. The ultimate goal is to win it all. One game left and we will take some rest and stay focused for the final.”

Krystel Esdelle, opposite of Trinidad and Tobago: “This group is a bunch of young ladies and I am proud we manage to get this far in this tournament. We know Suriname will give us a hard time. The final will be spectacular. We want our 8^th straight title.”

Johanna Belmar, Setter of Trinidad and Tobago: “Right now I am feeling every pain of my injury, but during the game I was mentally prepared. When u want to win especially for your country u forgot all the pain and focus on the game. Right now, we are going to rest and thinking about some tactics going into the final. I know we will win the final.”